Book 1, Chapter 24 Notes from Tender is the Night

Tender is the Night Book 1, Chapter 24

Carrying his miniature leather briefcase, Dick left a note for Maria, signed 'Dicole', the word with which he and Nicole signed communication letters in the first days of love. He then went to the hotel, where he found the halls to be unnaturally light. When he left, he realized that it was because although it was only four o'clock, it was already dark outside.

Rosemary opened her door full of confused emotions, and found Dick there. She saw him as some stability, as younger people are inclined to do with those older than them. He noticed the wet footprints near the bathroom door, as she had just taken a shower. He put his things down, and told her to sit on his lap. She did so, and they began to kiss. The rain suddenly stopped and the sun came out, and he pointed this out to Rosemary. She responded that they were such actors, and went over to her dresser. There was suddenly a persistent knock on the door that shocked them both; and Dick pretended to have been asking Rosemary if she wanted to go out with them as he opened the door. However, the precautions were unnecessary as it was Abe who was knocking. He quickly introduced Mr. Peterson and said that Mr. Peterson was in a terrible situation and it was his fault. They all went to the Diver's suite.

It appeared that Jules had been a legal witness to a dispute that morning, and had accompanied Abe to the police station to support his assertion that a thousand-franc note had been seized out of his hand by a Negro whose identification was one of the points in the case. Abe and Mr. Peterson had returned to the bar with the police and identified the wrong Negro, who had entered the bar after Abe had left. The true culprit had only just returned to the scene. Abe had successfully managed to anger many people, and had then managed to evade all of them, except for Jules Peterson, who was in an odd position because he had helped a white man. Jules was a small manufacturer of shoe polish, and was driven out of Stockholm because his formula was too good. Abe asked Dick to help Jules. Dick told Abe to go and get some sleep, and when he sobered up, Mr. Peterson would come and see him. Abe refused, and Jules said that he would go and wait in the hall because it is probably difficult for them to discuss his matter in front of him. Abe asked Dick where the drinks were, and Dick said that he didn't have any. Abe was extremely drunk, and Dick told him to leave immediately and come back later if he wanted. Abe left.